Vatican City: In a powerful and heartfelt appeal delivered from the heart of Christendom, Pope Leo XIV called on the global faithful to join him in unceasing prayer for peace in war-ravaged regions, especially the Holy Land and Ukraine. Speaking before the recitation of the Angelus prayer in a sunlit Saint Peter’s Square, the pontiff’s voice rang with moral clarity and spiritual urgency: “God does not want war. God wants peace!”
The call came on the heels of a solemn and joyous liturgical celebration: the canonization of two modern saints, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis. The Pope’s message was laced with both the joy of the saints’ elevation and the deep sorrow over the suffering in the world. “May their intercession, together with that of the Virgin Mary,” Pope Leo said, “help us never tire of praying for peace in our world.”
With over 80,000 pilgrims gathered beneath the colonnades of Bernini, the Pope’s words echoed through the square and into the hearts of many. As flags from dozens of nations fluttered above the crowd, Pope Leo turned his attention to the ongoing scourge of war.
Addressing world leaders and decision-makers directly, Pope Leo challenged them to heed the voice of their consciences. He warned that the so-called triumphs of violence are illusory and perilous.
“The apparent victories achieved through weapons, sowing death and destruction, are in fact defeats,” he said. “They never bring peace or security.”
The Pope underscored that lasting peace is not forged by arms but by courage, humility, and dialogue. “God supports those who commit to breaking the spiral of hatred and walking in the path of dialogue,” he added, urging all sides in conflict to abandon the logic of violence.
Pope Leo also celebrated the beatification of two new blesseds modern martyrs who gave their lives in defense of truth and human dignity.
In Estonia, the Church recognized Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, a Jesuit prelate who was martyred in 1942 during Stalinist purges. Beatified in Tallinn on September 6, Profittlich's unwavering faith and sacrifice under Soviet oppression were remembered with reverence.
Meanwhile, in Veszprém, Hungary, the beatification of Mária Magdolna Bódi, a young laywoman who was killed in 1945 after resisting an attempted assault by soldiers, served as a reminder of the sanctity found in courageous purity and resistance to evil.
“These new Blesseds are a light for us all,” Pope Leo said, “shining examples of faithfulness and dignity in times of darkness.”
The day was marked by a vibrant and international atmosphere, as delegations from across continents filled Saint Peter’s Square. Cardinals, bishops, priests, and lay faithful stood side by side, united by their devotion and the solemn joy of witnessing two saints canonized.
Pope Leo extended his heartfelt gratitude to all who made the pilgrimage to Rome for the momentous occasion: “To the bishops, priests, religious, civil authorities, and all the faithful who have come from near and far thank you. Your presence is a sign of hope.”
As the bells of Saint Peter’s Basilica tolled and the Angelus prayer rose heavenward, the Pope’s final plea lingered in the air: “Let us never stop praying. Never stop working for peace. God does not want war. God wants peace.”